Heuchera plant named ‘Vesuvius’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct hybrid of Heuchera plant characterized by its distinctive dark foliage with coral colored flowers, profuse bloom stalks, and reblooming habit.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Heuchera sanquinea×H. americana×H. micrantha.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Vesuvius’.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct hybrid of Heuchera,of the family Saxifragaceae, which originated from a cross betweenunknown parents. This new Heuchera was selected from seedlings grownfrom select plants that were open pollinated in the field in Canby,Oreg. Given its characteristics we know that at least three species areinvolved in its parentage; Heuchera sanquinea, H. americana, and H.micrantha.

This new Heuchera is distinguished by:

1. Dark leaves with a light silver veil or overlay.

2. Large, coral pink colored flowers.

3. Profuse number of inflorescences.

4. Repeat blooming which extends the bloom time.

The new variety has been reproduced only by asexual propagation(division and tissue culture). Each of the progeny exhibits identicalcharacteristics to the original plant. Asexual propagation by divisionand tissue culture as done in Canby, Oreg., shows that the foregoingcharacteristics and distinctions come true to form and are establishedand transmitted through succeeding propagations. The present inventionhas not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. Thephenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change inthe genotype of the plant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing shows the new plant growing in the garden in June in Canby,Oreg.

DETAILED PLANT DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new Heuchera hybrid basedon observations of one-year old specimens grown in one gallon containersin a cool greenhouse in Canby, Oreg. The color descriptions are allbased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart.

Plant:

Form.—Basal rosette.

Type.—Herbaceous perennial.

Hardiness.—USDA Zones 5 to 9.

Size.—18 cm tall and 42 cm wide in two years.

Stem:

Size.—Found on older plants, 2 cm diameter.

Texture.—Covered with brown scales.

Color.—Brown 200A.

Leaf:

Type.—Simple.

Arrangement.—Rosette.

Shape.—Orbicular to ovate.

Lobing/division.—5 to 7 rounded lobes.

Venation.—Palmate.

Margins.—Crenate.

Apex.—Mucronulate.

Base.—Cordate.

Size.—Grows to 8 cm long and 8 cm wide.

Texture.—Leathery, puberulous. Margins and vein undersides are hirsute.

Petiole length.—Grows to 12 cm.

Petiole texture.—Hirsute.

Petiole color.—On young leaf Greyed Purple 183D to Greyed Orange 166A toGrey Brown 199A on older leaf.

Leaf color.—New leaves just opening — Greyed Purple 187A. Full sizeyoung leaves — Brown 200A with silver pink veiling in between the veins— between Greyed Purple 186A and Grey 201C. Mature leaves — Very darkbrown, between Brown 200A and Black 202A with light silvering Grey 201C.

Inflorescence:

Type.—Thyrse.

Number of flowers.—About 100 per thyrse.

Peduncle.—With 0 to 1 leaf and 1 to 2 bracts. Height — About 60 cm.Diameter — 0.15 cm. Color — Greyed Orange 177A. Texture — Hirsute.

First branch length.—Grows to 2.3 cm.

Pedicel.—Length — Grows to 0.4 cm at the longest. Texture — Puberulent.Color — Greyed Orange 177A.

Bloom period.—June to July in Canby, Oreg.

Flower bud:

Size.—0.5 cm length.

Description.—Puberulent, downfacing, campanulate when opening.

Color.—Coral. Red Group 51B.

Flower:

Type.—Perfect, zygomorphic, sepals petaloid.

Shape.—Campanulate.

Size.—0.6 cm long and 0.4 cm wide.

Color.—Red 48D and 51 B outside, Red 49B inside.

Petal count.—5, inconspicuous.

Petal shape.—Elliptic with a clawed base.

Petal size.—About 0.15 cm long.

Petal color.—Light pink. Red 49C.

Calyx.—Petaloid, divided ½ way to the base, with glandular hairs. Coloras described above for flower.

Sepal number.—5.

Sepal size.—0.6 cm long and 0.4 cm wide.

Stamen number.—5, sterile.

Pistil color.—Yellow Green 145B.

Anther color.—Greyed Orange 170A.

Pollen.—None.

Fragrance.—None.

Lastingness.—A thryse blooms for about 2 weeks on the plant.

Fruit:

Type.—Two-beaked ovoid capsule.

Color.—Tan. Grey-Brown 199D.

Fertility—Low.

Seeds.—Small, elliptic in shape, black (202A) in color, typical of thegenus.

Disease tolerance: Excellent disease resistance to powdery mildew, thecommon problem of Heuchera.

COMPARISON TO SIMILAR HEUCHERAS

Compared to Heuchera ‘Veil of Passion’ (U.S. Plant patent applicationSer. No. 09/452,026), Heuchera ‘Vesuvius’ has more flowers stalks,shorter stalks, stronger reblooming, and is less veiled.

Compared to Heuchera ‘Palace Passion’ (unpatented), Heuchera ‘Vesuvius’is earlier and longer blooming and has more flower stalks per plant.Heuchera ‘Palace Passion’ also is more veiled and has overlapping leafbases unlike the new plant.

Compared to Heuchera ‘Cherries Jubilee’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,377),Heuchera ‘Vesuvius’ has darker leaves and lighter colored flowers.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct hybrid of Heuchera plant substantially asshown and described, characterized by dark foliage with coral coloredflowers, profuse flower stalk number and reblooming.